Collapsible chair

ABSTRACT

A collapsible chair configured for compact storage is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/808,188, filed on Apr. 3, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Chairs are often desirable for camping, hiking, traveling, motorcycling, and military applications. Chairs for these applications should be at least one of durable, compact, and lightweight. However, many chairs designed for these applications, such as folding or collapsible chairs, lack strength, compactness, and lightweight attributes desired.

What is needed is a collapsible chair configured for compact storage.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a collapsible chair is provided, the collapsible chair comprising: at least one rear upright member comprising at least one rear upright extension; at least one front upright member; at least one side member; at least one rear leg member comprising at least one rear leg extension; at least one front leg member comprising at least one front leg extension; at least one rear cross member; and at least one front cross member; wherein the at last one rear upright member is removably attached to the chair; wherein the at least one front upright member is removably attached to the chair; wherein the at least one rear cross member is pivotally connected to the at least one rear leg member; wherein the at least one front cross member is pivotally connected to the at least one front leg member; wherein the at least one front leg member is pivotally connected to the at least one side member; and wherein the at least one rear leg member is pivotally connected to the at least one side member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate example apparatuses, and are used merely to illustrate example embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a first orientation.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a second orientation.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a third orientation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a fourth orientation.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a fifth orientation.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a sixth orientation.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a seventh orientation.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in an eighth orientation.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a ninth orientation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a tenth orientation.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in an eleventh orientation.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a twelfth orientation.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 300 in a first orientation.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 300 in a second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 100. Chair 100 may comprise a seat portion 102, a back portion 104, and at least one arm portion 106. Chair 100 may additionally comprise at least one rear upright member 108, at least one front upright member 110, at least one rear leg member 112, and at least one front leg member 114. At least one rear leg member 112 may comprise at least one rear leg extension 116. At least one front leg member 114 may comprise at least one front leg extension 118. Chair 100 may comprise at least one front cross member 122.

At least one of seat portion 102, back portion 104, and arm portion 106 may comprise any of a variety of materials, including for example: a textile, a netting, a leather, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or a composite. In one embodiment, at least one of seat portion 102, back portion 104, and arm portion 106 comprises a strength to support at least a portion of the weight of a human. Seat portion 102 may be configured to support a user's hips. Back portion 104 may be configured to support a user's back. Arm portion 106 may be configured to support a user's arms. In one embodiment, chair 100 comprises seat portion 102 without back portion 104 or arm portion 106. In another embodiment, chair 100 comprises seat portion 102 and back portion 104 without arm portion 106.

In one embodiment, seat portion 102 is permanently attached to chair 100. In another embodiment, seat portion 102 is removably attached to chair 100. In one embodiment, back portion 104 is permanently attached to chair 100. In another embodiment, back portion 104 is removably attached to chair 100. In one embodiment, arm portion 106 is permanently attached to chair 100. In another embodiment, arm portion 106 is removably attached to chair 100.

At least one of rear upright member 108, front upright member 110, rear leg member 112, front leg member 114, rear leg extension 116, front leg extension 118, and front cross member 122 may comprise any of a variety of materials, including for example: a metal, an alloy, a polymer, a wood, or a composite. In one embodiment, at least one of rear upright member 108, front upright member 110, rear leg member 112, front leg member 114, rear leg extension 116, front leg extension 118, and front cross member 122 comprises a strength to support at least a portion of the weight of a human. In another embodiment, at least one of rear upright member 108, front upright member 110, rear leg member 112, front leg member 114, rear leg extension 116, front leg extension 118, and front cross member 122 comprises a substantially hollow tubing.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 200 in a first orientation. Chair 200 may comprise at least one rear upright extension 207, at least one rear upright member 208, at least one front upright member 210, at least one side member 211, at least one rear leg member 212, and at least one front leg member 214. At least one rear leg member 212 may comprise at least one rear leg extension 216. At least one front leg member 214 may comprise at least one front leg extension 218. Chair 200 may comprise at least one rear cross member 220 and at least one front cross member 222.

Each of the various elements illustrated in FIG. 2 may comprise any of the materials, qualities, and structures disclosed above with respect to FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, rear upright extension 207 is configured to extend from rear upright member 208. Rear upright extension 207 may be configured to fit at least substantially within rear upright member 208, or at least substantially about rear upright member 208. Rear upright extension 207 may travel longitudinally relative to rear upright member 208. At least one of rear upright extension 207 and rear upright member 208 may comprise an arresting mechanism configured to arrest the movement of rear upright extension 207 relative to rear upright member 208, for example in an extended position, a retracted position, or any position between.

In one embodiment, rear leg extension 216 is configured to extend from rear leg member 212. Rear leg extension 216 may be configured to fit at least substantially within rear leg member 212, or at least substantially about rear leg member 212. Rear leg extension 216 may travel longitudinally relative to rear leg member 212. At least one of rear leg extension 216 and rear leg member 212 may comprise an arresting mechanism configured to arrest the movement of rear leg extension 216 relative to rear leg member 212, for example in an extended position, a retracted position, or any position between.

In one embodiment, front leg extension 218 is configured to extend from front leg member 214. Front leg extension 218 may be configured to fit at least substantially within front leg member 214, or at least substantially about front leg member 214. Front leg extension 218 may travel longitudinally relative to front leg member 214. At least one of front leg extension 218 and front leg member 214 may comprise an arresting mechanism configured to arrest the movement of front leg extension 218 relative to front leg member 214, for example in an extended position, a retracted position, or any position between.

In one embodiment, chair 200 comprises at least two rear cross members 220. In one embodiment, rear cross members 220 are pivotally connected to one another at their proximal ends. In one embodiment, each rear cross member 220 is pivotally connected to at least one rear leg member 212 at each rear cross member 220's distal end.

In one embodiment, chair 200 comprises at least two front cross members 222. In one embodiment, front cross members 222 are pivotally connected to one another at their proximal ends. In one embodiment, each front cross member 222 is pivotally connected to at least one front leg member 214 at each front cross member 222's distal end.

In one embodiment, at least one rear upright member 208 is removably connected to at least one of side member 211, rear leg member 212, and rear cross member 220. In another embodiment, at least one front upright member 210 is removably connected to at least one of side member 211, front leg member 214, and front cross member 222.

In one embodiment, at least one front leg member 214 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 211. In another embodiment, at least one front leg member 214 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 211 at the upper end of front leg member 214 and the front end of side member 211.

In one embodiment, at least one rear leg member 212 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 211. In another embodiment, at least one rear leg member 212 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 211 at the upper end of rear leg member 212 and the rear end of side member 211.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a second orientation. In one embodiment, rear upright extension 207 is retracted into rear upright member 208. In another embodiment, rear upright member 208 is detached from at least one of side member 211, rear leg member 212, and rear cross member 220. In another embodiment, front upright member 210 is detached from at least one of side member 211, front leg member 214, and front cross member 222.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a third orientation. In one embodiment, rear leg extension 216 is retracted into rear leg member 212. In another embodiment, front leg extension 218 is retracted into front leg member 214.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a fourth orientation. In one embodiment, rear cross members 220 are pivoted. In another embodiment, front cross members 222 are pivoted. In one embodiment, the pivoting of at least one of rear cross members 220 and front cross members 222 causes side members 211 to draw nearer one another.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a fifth orientation. In one embodiment, the pivoting of at least one of rear cross members 220 and front cross members 222 causes side members 211 to draw nearer one another. In another embodiment, rear cross members 220 pivot until rear cross members 220 are substantially contacting one another and rear leg members 212. In another embodiment, front cross members 222 pivot until front cross members 222 are substantially contacting one another and front leg members 210.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a sixth orientation. In one embodiment, front leg members 214 pivot to substantially contact side members 211.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a seventh orientation. In one embodiment, rear leg members 212 pivot to substantially contact front leg members 214.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in an eighth orientation. In one embodiment, rear upright members 208 including rear upright extensions 207 are reintroduced to chair 200 in its folded orientation. In another embodiment, front upright members 210 are reintroduced to chair 200 in its folded orientation.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a ninth orientation. In one embodiment, rear upright members 208 are placed in substantial contact and are configured to fit between side members 211 of chair 200 in its folded orientation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a tenth orientation. In one embodiment, rear upright members 208 are placed in substantial contact between side members 211 of chair 200 in its folded orientation. In another embodiment, front upright members 210 are configured to fit between rear leg members 212 and front leg members 214 of chair 200 in its folded orientation.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in an eleventh orientation. In one embodiment, rear upright members 208 are placed in substantial contact between side members 211 of chair 200 in its folded orientation. In another embodiment, front upright members 210 are placed between rear leg members 212 and front leg members 214 of chair 200 in its folded orientation.

Chair 200 may be configured to fit into any of a motorcycle side bag, a backpack, and a vehicle compartment when chair 200 is in its folded orientation. In one embodiment chair 200 is configured to fit into a case designed to contain chair 200 and its components.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 200 in a twelfth orientation. In one embodiment, at least one of a seat portion, a back portion, and an arm portion are configured to fit about at least a portion of chair 200 in its folded position. In another embodiment, chair 200 is configured to be folded with at least one of a seat portion, a back portion, and an arm portion in place.

In one embodiment, chair 200 does not comprise front upright members 210. In another embodiment, chair 200 does not comprise arms.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example arrangement of a collapsible chair 300 in a first orientation. Chair 300 may comprise at least one rear upright extension 307, at least one rear upright member 308, at least one front upright member 310, at least one side member 311, at least one rear leg member 312, and at least one front leg member 314. At least one rear leg member 312 may comprise at least one rear leg extension 316. At least one front leg member 314 may comprise at least one front leg extension 318. Chair 300 may comprise at least one lower rear cross member 320, at least one front cross member 322, and at least one upper rear cross member 324.

Each of the various elements illustrated in FIG. 3 may comprise any of the materials, qualities, and structures disclosed above with respect to FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, chair 300 comprises at least two lower rear cross members 320. In one embodiment, lower rear cross members 320 are pivotally connected to one another at their proximal ends. In one embodiment, each lower rear cross member 320 is pivotally connected to at least one rear leg member 312 at each lower rear cross member 320's distal end.

In one embodiment, chair 300 comprises at least two front cross members 322. In one embodiment, front cross members 322 are pivotally connected to one another at their proximal ends. In one embodiment, each front cross member 322 is pivotally connected to at least one front leg member 314 at each front cross member 322's distal end.

In one embodiment, chair 300 comprises at least two upper rear cross members 324. In one embodiment, upper rear cross members 324 are pivotally connected to one another at their proximal ends. In one embodiment, each upper rear cross member 324 is pivotally connected to at least one of rear leg member 312, side member 311, and rear upright member 308 at each upper rear cross member 324's distal end.

In one embodiment, at least one rear upright member 308 is pivotally connected to at least one of side member 311, rear leg member 312, and upper rear cross member 324. In one embodiment, at least one of rear upright member 308 and rear upright extension 307 are configured to support accessories, including for example, a fan, a light, an awning, an IV bag, or hooks for hanging items.

In another embodiment, at least one front upright member 310 is removably connected to at least one of side member 311, front leg member 314, and front cross member 322. In another embodiment, at least one front upright member 310 is pivotally connected to at least one of side member 311, front leg member 314, and front cross member 322.

In one embodiment, at least one front leg member 314 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 311. In another embodiment, at least one front leg member 314 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 311 at the upper end of front leg member 314 and the front end of side member 311.

In one embodiment, at least one rear leg member 312 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 311. In another embodiment, at least one rear leg member 312 is pivotally connected to at least one side member 311 at the upper end of rear leg member 312 and the rear end of side member 311.

In one embodiment, at least one rear leg member 312 is configured to pivot into substantial contact with side member 311. In another embodiment, at least one front leg member 314 is configured to pivot into substantial contact with at least one rear leg member 312.

In one embodiment, at least one of rear leg extension 316 and front leg extension 318 comprise cleats at their distal ends. The cleats may comprise at least one of rubber, polymer, metal, or alloy. The cleats may be configured to provide traction between rear leg extension 316 and front leg extension 318 and the ground, floor, or other surface upon which chair 300 is positioned. In another embodiment, the cleats are configured to prevent marring of the surface upon which chair 300 is positioned. In another embodiment, the cleats are configured to protect the distal end of rear leg extension 316 or front leg extension 318.

In one embodiment, chair 300 does not comprise front upright members 310. In another embodiment, chair 300 does not comprise arms.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example arrangement of collapsible chair 300 in a second orientation. In one embodiment, front upright members (not shown) are placed within at least one void of chair 300 in its folded orientation.

Chair 300 may be configured to fit into any of a motorcycle side bag, a backpack, and a vehicle compartment when chair 300 is in its folded orientation. In one embodiment chair 300 is configured to fit into a case designed to contain chair 300 and its components.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term “operatively connected” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. To the extent that the term “substantially” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components have the relation or qualities indicated with degree of error as would be acceptable in the subject industry. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. Finally, where the term “about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept. 

1. A collapsible chair comprising: at least one rear upright member comprising at least one rear upright extension; at least one front upright member; at least one side member; at least one rear leg member comprising at least one rear leg extension; at least one front leg member comprising at least one front leg extension; at least one rear cross member; and at least one front cross member; wherein the at last one rear upright member is attached to the chair; wherein the at least one front upright member is removably attached to the chair; wherein the at least one rear cross member is pivotally connected to the at least one rear leg member; wherein the at least one front cross member is pivotally connected to the at least one front leg member; wherein the at least one front leg member is pivotally connected to the at least one side member; and wherein the at least one rear leg member is pivotally connected to the at least one side member. 